Pranjal Khewalkar involved in human trafficking, alleges chief of state women’s commission; Khadses debunk charges
Addressing a press conference in Pune on Thursday, Chakankar accused Khewalkar of luring migrant women to Pune on the pretext of providing them jobs and then forcing them to do ‘wrong things.’
Chairperson of Maharashtra Women’s Commission Rupali Chakankar on Thursday made serious allegations of human trafficking against Pranjal Khewalkar, son-in-law of NCP (S-P) leader Eknath Khadse, who has already been arrested in the alleged ‘drugs party’ case.
While Chakankar urged Pune police to carry out a comprehensive probe and a file case against Khewalkar, Commissioner of Pune Police Amitesh Kumar said they have already sent a detailed report to the women’s commission.
Addressing a press conference in Pune on Thursday, Chakankar accused Khewalkar of luring migrant women to Pune on the pretext of providing them jobs and then forcing them to do ‘wrong things.’
“The commission had earlier asked the Pune police to investigate the matter. We have received the report, which is absolutely shocking. After the police raided the Kharadi house, they had taken Khewalkar and his associates into custody and seized 10 moibles phones, hookah pot and drugs. From the cellphone seized from Hadapsar house of Khewalkar, police found nude photos of some women in hidden folders,” said Chakankar.
“Khewalkar had called some women to Lonavala and other places on the promise of giving them work in a flim. The police investigation has revealed that besides Lonavala, the women were asked come to Jalgaon, Sakinaka and Goa. These women have been sexually exploited. There is a possibility of human trafficking,” said the chairperson of the state women’s panel.
“In the hidden folder of one of the mobiles seized, there were several objectionable photos and videos. The women were stripped and drugged before their objectionable photos were taken, which were later used to blackmail them. Infact, Khewalkar himself can be seen in the videos,” she said.
“The police also found videos and photos of women who work as househelps or sweepers. A man named ‘Aarush’ was tasked with the job of luring women. It is a case of human trafficking and exploitation of women,” said Chakankar.
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“I have urged the state government to set up an Special Investigation Team. It is important that a thorough investigation be done on how the women were brought and how they were exploited. This is a big organised racket,” she said.
Meanwhile, Khewalkar’s wife Rohini Khadse, who is also the Maharashtra women’s wing chief of the NCP (SP), alleged that Chakankar was indulging in a pre-scripted drama, which reveals as if the outcome was already decided.
Khadse said the Sanvi Multipurpose Charitable Trust had lodged the complaint with the commission in this matter. “The trust is headed by a NCP women wing leader..Where was the trust when Vaishnavi Hagawane ended her life because of the atrocities by her in-laws?”
Reacting to Chakankar’s charges, former minister and NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse said, “The allegations seem as if Chakankar herself is the investigating officer who has conducted the probe. Chakankar is a member of a political party. The police, and not her, should provide all such information.”
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“Chakankar and Rohini Khadse have bitter relations and it seems because of it, she is taking it out on my daughter. She should speak the truth,” said Eknath Khadse.
“I would like to state that I would not side with my son-in-law. My only demand is that police should continue its investigation. It should not be given to SIT. It can be given to CBI if there is any grain of truth. If my son-in-law is involved, then hang him. But they should not resort to defamation without any concrete proof. This case is about drugs. The police have told the court that it was not a rave party. The police said he had not taken drugs…The police should place the truth before the people,” said the senior politician.
When contacted, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, “We have already sent the investigation report to the commission. It was done as per the commission’s directives. I would not like to reveal the details of the report.”
Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis.
Professional Legacy
Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles.
Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change.
Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities.
Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area:
1. Political Shifts & Alliances
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
"BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls.
"Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections.
"NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections.
2. Civic & Administrative Accountability
"PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions.
"93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads.
3. Social & Labor Issues
"As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra.
"Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse.
Signature Beat
Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport.
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